Make a will — remember that later ones override earlier ones, and notarized wills no longer take priority

The law recognizes six types of wills, but a single mistake in the format can render the entire document invalid — this is the most common pitfall. A handwritten will must be written entirely by the testator, signed, and dated. If multiple wills exist and they conflict, the last one signed prevails. Since 2021, a notarized will no longer automatically takes precedence over others.

Writing a will by hand costs nothing. Having it notarized at a notary office costs several hundred to over a thousand yuan. The hard part is bringing it up: you must discuss end‑of‑life matters with your family.

The Civil Code acknowledges six legal forms of wills: handwritten, dictated to a scribe, printed, recorded on audio or video, oral, and notarized. Each type has specific formal requirements that must be met. When several wills exist, the most recent one governs. Starting in 2021, notarized wills no longer automatically rank above others.

A handwritten will must be written entirely by the testator, signed, and dated. For printed wills, at least two witnesses are required; both the testator and witnesses must sign every page and include the date. Relatives of the testator, potential heirs, or anyone named to receive assets cannot serve as witnesses. Any failure to meet these formal rules renders the will invalid — this is the most frequent cause of problems.

全国人大 (2020). 民法典（第一千一百三十四条至第一千一百四十二条）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202006/t20200602_463888.shtml；最高人民法院 (2020). 关于适用《中华人民共和国民法典》继承编的解释（一）（法释〔2020〕23 号，第二十四条）. https://www.court.gov.cn/fabu/xiangqing/282091.html